What on earth does a worm farmer do?

David Davidson is a worm farmer. He also has a name you won't forget in a hurry.

A few years ago I met David at his farm in Broomfield. Armed with a microphone, I wanted to find out if worms made a sound (to find out: watch the video above or read my blog about this sonic adventure). When ABC Open's Day in the Life video project launched, I knew I had to catch up with David again and document his fascinating job.

David jokes that being a worm farmer is "the lowest form of agriculture you can get", but in reality it's a role he's very proud of. As president of the Australian Worm Farmers Association, David believes worm farming is an opportunity to not only produce an income, but to leave a positive impact on the environment.

"You can divert waste material that would have been going to landfill back into healthy soil for your garden or your farm."

David collects food waste from hospitals and Universities, dumps it into a giant compost heap on his farm, and via the hungry worms, waits for them to convert the waste to vermicast. The vermicast is then used as an organic fertiliser.

David also breeds compost worms which are sent to customers through the post.

"Many people, once they start to have their own worm farm, they treat the worms as a pet and they're often devastated if they happen to lose some of their worms."

So not only are worms good for the environment, they also make a top quality pet. Although I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to take a pet worm out for a walk around the neighbourhood just yet.

While shooting this Day in the Life video, I was introduced to David's grandchildren Jarrah and Jackson. They were fascinated by the filming process and eager to learn how to make their own video. A few weeks later they produced this gorgeous Video postcard of Broomfield. Enjoy!

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Comments

George Mingin

I wonder if anybody realises that what David is doing with the hospital and restaurant organic waste can be replicated on just about any farm, just about anywhere? Might just be the future for organic waste recycling!!!

shutterbug

You're building a better world David!!

Howard Brown

Great effort David. We also have a productive little worm bed but I managed to kill the lot at christmas, is there any foods that shouldn't put into a worm bed? Regards Howard Brown

Margot

I took my worms on Xmas holiday with me one year. We stayed at a bush cottage for 10 days and as the weather round then is so hot, they came along from their city tiered farm and lived the simple life in a one level box for the duration. They were happy and I was happy to make sure they survived.
Can't say my friend's worms had such a happy time when she over-fed them with bread. Phee yew wot a pong!